How Jigsaw Puzzles Can Make You a Better Employee

Whether working from home or commuting to the office, the demands of a 9-5 can make it difficult to stay on top of your game day in and day out. Long hours and constant staring at a screen, coupled with the inability to properly unwind from the demands of work have resulted in 83% of US employees suffering from work-related stress. 

What if we told you there was a way to not only properly de-stress from the demands of your job but simultaneously make you a better employee as you do so?

The solution: doing puzzles.

A jigsaw puzzle benefits those that are looking to de-stress, unwind, and indulge in some self-care, while also giving your brain a mental workout. Now, that’s what we call working smarter, not harder. 

Are Jigsaw Puzzles Good For Your Brain?

Believe it or not, there are many benefits of jigsaw puzzles. Not only are puzzles good for anxiety, but they also challenge your brain. Puzzles help in other ways too, specifically when it comes to teamwork and building relationships with coworkers. 

How Are Puzzles Good For You As An Employee?

Jigsaw puzzles can improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills, two assets that are valuable in the workplace. Assembling a puzzle requires you to analyze patterns and shapes, visualize the bigger picture, and strategize your next move. These skills can translate to the workplace, where you can apply them to complex projects and challenges. Additionally, puzzles can help reduce stress and increase focus, leading to better productivity and teamwork.

Jigsaw puzzles can also improve several other skills, such as creativity, collaboration, and attention to detail. Here are some ways that working on jigsaw puzzles can make you a better employee:

1. Problem-solving

Completing a jigsaw puzzle requires a lot of problem-solving skills, such as spatial reasoning and pattern recognition. These skills can be applied to many different tasks in the workplace, from analyzing data to developing new products.

2. Creativity

Jigsaw puzzles also require creativity. Not only do you need to think outside the box to find the right pieces, but also figure out how they fit together. This same creative mindset can be applied to brainstorming sessions and other collaborative projects at work.

3. Attention to detail

Jigsaw puzzles require a lot of attention to detail, as each piece needs to fit exactly in its designated spot. This skill can be valuable in many workplace settings, from proofreading documents to ensuring that projects are completed accurately.

4. Memory retention

Working on puzzles for mental health is a great exercise, as it helps improve cognition and mental agility. Puzzles are a contributor to helping delay Alzheimer’s and improve short-term memory. This puzzle benefit goes hand-in-hand with attention to detail, as it helps train the part of the brain that is in charge of storing this information. 

5. Collaboration

Working on a jigsaw puzzle with others can also improve your collaboration skills. You'll need to communicate effectively and work together to find the right pieces and fit them together. This same skill can be applied to team projects at work, where you'll need to work with others to achieve a common goal.

6. Work balance

Having puzzles for the office, whether it’s your at-home office or in the workplace, helps break up corporate boredom. They allow you to keep your hands busy, while still being able to listen and participate in conference calls. When a quick break is needed throughout the day, playing puzzles gives you the reprieve you need while still keeping your mind active. It’s a great way to disband the monotony of the day. 

In Summary

Overall, working on jigsaw puzzles can improve your problem-solving, creativity, attention to detail, and collaboration skills, which are all valuable in the workplace. Jigsaws also help improve memory retention and provide balance throughout the workday. By practicing these skills through puzzles, you can become a better employee and contribute more effectively to your team and company.

Check out these other puzzle posts: How to Do Puzzles; Making Jigsaw Puzzles; Why Doing a Puzzle’s More Fun With Friends; The Psychology of Jigsaw Puzzles and the People Who Love Them.